Pump control

ABSTRACT

A pump control for use within a pump system and being connected to the discharge pipe therefor; there being a check valve between the pump control and the outlet pipe. Said control comprises a pipe having a plurality of openings which pipe connects said valve and a pressure switch in circuit controlling relationship with respect to the pump with a pressure accumulator disposed about said pipe and constituting a resilient sleeve having a thickness of about one-half inch and a durometer hardness within the range of 55 to 70.

United States Patent 51 July 25, 1972 Weber s41 PUMP CONTROL 2,878,8353/1959 Peterson ..138/30 1,943,765 l/l934 Jones ..138/30 [72] Imam"Amhmy 3,463,189 8/1969 Fitzpatrick... ..137/525.3 x [73] ASsignee:Weberlndustries,lnc., St. Louis, Mo. 3,354,903 11/1967 Caruso..137/525.3X

[22] Filed: 1970 Primary ExaminerCarlton R. Croyle [21] APPLNOJ 81,802Assistant ExaminerRichard.l. Sher Attorney-Ralph W. Kalish Related U.S.Application Data I [57] ABSTRACT [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.862,711, Oct. 1,

1969, Pat. No. 3,563,671.

U.S. Cl ..417/38, 138/30, 417/44 Int. Cl ..F04b 49/02, F041) 49/06, F04b49/08 Field ofSearch ..417/38, 44; 138/30; 137/525.3

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1971 Weber ..417/38 A pumpcontrol for use within a pump system and being cunnected to thedischarge pipe therefor; there being a check valve between the pumpcontrol and the outlet pipe. Said control comprises a pipe having aplurality of openings which pipe connects said valve and a pressureswitch in circuit controlling relationship with respect to the pump witha pressure accumulator disposed about said pipe and constituting aresilient sleeve having a thickness of about one-half inch and adurometer hardness within the range of 55 to 70.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJULZS m2 3.679.326

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i INVENTOR ANTHONY V. WEBER BY 144 ATTORNEY PUMP CONTROL This inventionrelates in general to pump systems and more particularly to a pumpcontrol incorporating a pressure accumulator for utilization therewith.This application is a continuation-in-part of co pending applicationSer. No. 862,711 filed Oct. 1, 1969 now US. Pat. No. 3,563,671 upon aPump Control.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pump control whichincorporates a pressure accumulator for assuring of rapid energizationof the system pump upon opening of the discharge pipe for the purpose ofsubstantially maintaining line pressure during the entire period of use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pump controlof the character stated which is of marked sensitivity for conducing torelatively accelerated operation of the system pump thereby eliminatingthe heretofore accepted relatively lengthy intervals of reduced linepressure with attendant discomfort and inconvenience.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pumpcontrol of the type stated which is designed for automatic operation sothat the intervention of operator activity is entirely eliminated andwhich comprises a marked simplicity of parts so as to render the controlresistant to breakdown and thereby assure continuity of reliable usage.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pumpcontrol of the type stated which obviates the incorporation of liquidstorage tanks adapted to provide a supply of liquid for bridging, as itwere, the heretofore accepted intervals of reduced line pressure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pump controlof the type stated which may be readily installed in existing pumpsystems without requiring costly, time-consuming modifications.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a pumpcontrol of the type stated which is economically manufactured bodilywhich incorporates novel means for maintaining an inherent by-passpassage in a clear, unblocked state; and which is exceedingly durable inoperation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinalsectional view of a pump constructed in accordance with and embodyingthe present invention, illustrating same within a well casing.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged, vertical longitudinal sectional viewof the valve-containing portion of the pump control.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the pump control in association with asubmersible pump.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by referencecharacters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, A generally designates a pump control which isuseful with any type of pump system, but for purposes of illustrationherein the same is described for utilization within a submersi' ble pumpsystem comprising the usual pump 2 (see FIG. 3) disposed within thelower end of a conventional well casing I. Said pump p is connected toan upwardly extending outlet pipe 2 which is engaged at its upper end toa pitless adaptor 3 for establishing communication with a discharge pipe4 located outwardly of casing 1 controlled at its other or outlet end bythe customary faucet or taps as indicated generally at 5 and located aswithin a dwelling. Also engaged to pitless adaptor 3 in axially alignedrelationship to outlet pipe 2 is a relatively short riser 6 which isexternally threaded at its upper end for securement to a collar 7 formedat the lower end of a valve body 8. Valve body 8 is relativelydiametrically increased at its central zone as at 9 and provided with aninset upstanding flange 10 for securement within the lower end of acylindrical casing 11 and thus effectively closing the same. Internallyvalve body 8 is provided with an axial bore 12 within which there ispresented a transversely extending partition 13 presented spacedly abovethe upper end of riser 6. Partition Q 13 is provided with a multiplicityof perforations or openings as at 14 which are normally occludable bythe flat disc portion 15 of a check valve indicated generally at 16,which latter comprehends a stem 17 projecting upwardly from the centralportion of disc portion 15, through a central opening 18 in partition13; said stem 17 being diametrically increased immediately abovepartition 13 for the development of a shoulder 19 in abutment againstthe upper surface of partition 13 so as to inhibit any vertical shiftingof stem 17 within opening 18. Valve body 16 is fabricated preferably ofmoulded plastic, rubber, or the like so as to have an inherentresiliency and with disc portion 15 being relatively thin to allow of asensitivity of valve control as will be described more fullyhereinbelow.

Partition 13 in one edge portion thereof immediately adjacent the innerface of bore 12 is provided with a port 20 which may be inclineddownwardly and outwardly toward its lower end; said port 20 at its lowerend is radially beyond the adjacent peripheral portion of disc body 15so as to be non-occludable thereby. Port 20 is at all times open andthus serves as a by-pass for liquid flow therethrough for purposes to bediscussed more fully hereinbelow. In its upper end portion valve body 8is internally threaded as at 21 for engaging the lower outer externallythreaded end of a pipe 22 being coaxial with riser 6 and projectingupwardly within casing 11 for snug reception withinan opening 23 formedcentrally within an end or closure cap 24 for the upper end of casing11, which cap 24 on its upper surface abuts against the top wall 25 ofeasing l; which latter is centrally apertured as at 26 for extensiontherethrough of a bushing 27 which externally is threadedly secured tothe adjacent portion of pipe 22 and internally threaded to the lower orvertical end 28 of a T-fitting 29. Said T-fitting 29 upwardly of casingtop wall 25 is suitably connected at one end to a pressure guage 30 andat its opposed end to a pressure switch 31 which may be of any suitabletype such as of diaphragm character. Switch 31 is in circuit as by leads32,32 with pump p for operational control thereof and is also connectedby conductors 33,33 to a convenient source of power (not shown). Withincasing 11, pipe 22, throughout the major portion of its length, issurrounded by a pressure accumulator 34 being a relatively thick,flexible tubular, sleeve-like member formed as of rubber or a suitablesynthetic having a durometer hardness within the range of approximately55-70 and being snugly secured against the exterior face of said pipe 22by metal clamping bands 35,35 for establishing a leak-proof joint withpipe 22. Radially inwardly from each band 35,35 pipe 22 may be providedwith spacedapart circumferential recesses or grooves 36 foraccommodating conventional O rings or for receiving portions of pressureaccumulator 34 forced thereinto by clamping bands 35,35 so as to enhancethe security of the developed joint. The length of pressure accumulator34 is preferably within the range of 3 to 5 inches and the wallthickness thereof is approximately one-half inch so that through suchthickness as well as durometer hardness internal pressure for effectinga flexing or expansion must be relatively great. Due to the dispositionof the clamping bands 35,35 the operative length of pressure accumulator34 is markedly reduced so that the ratio between such effective lengthand its thickness is between approximately 4:1 and 8:1 The differentialbetween the outside diameter of pressure accumulator 34 and the insidediameter of easing l l is in the order of five thirty-seconds to seventhirty-seconds inches so that the expansion of accumulator 34 iscarefully controlled by the limitation of the normal annular volumesurrounding pressure accumulator 34.

Drilled or otherwise formed within pipe 22 and the region thereofencircled by pressure accumulator 34 is a plurality of vertically andcircumferentially spaced openings 37 whereby fluid may flow therethroughfor exerting pressure against pressure accumulator 34 to cause anexpansion or bulging" of the latter for developing a relatively smallliquid-receiving pressure chamber indicated in phantom lines at 38 inFIG. 1.

In view of the foregoing it will be seen that the physicalcharacteristics of pressure accumulator 34 are so designed with respectto casing 11 as to permit the development of pressure chamber 38 onlythrough the subjection of pressure accumulator 34 to relativelysubstantial liquid pressure as in the order of 50 to 70 psi. Due to thefurther restriction of expansion by means of abutment of accumulator 34against casing 11, pressure chamber 38 will be of relatively smallvolume so that the amount of liquid therein will not, in effect, enhancethe liquid being discharged. Thus, pressure accumulator 34 does notserve as a pressure tank or liquid storage.

Pump control A bodily incorporates a novel device indicated generally atC for facilitating maintenance of port 20 in a clean, unblocked state;said device is mounted within an extension 39 formed in valve body 8downwardly of partition 13 and having a bore 40 axially aligned withport 20. Bore 40 is counterbored at 41 for developing a compartment 42which is tapped for engaging the external threads of a guide bushing 43having an enlarged base as at 44 which abuts against the adjacent outerface portion of valve body 8. Said bushing 43 accommodates a plunger 45embodying a relatively enlarged head 46 extending through bushing base44 and a stem 47 projecting through counterbore 41 and into bore 40. Atits end remote from head 46, stem 47 is provided with a co-axial finger48 having an outside diameter substantially the same as the insidediameter of port 20 for reception therein for portcleaning purposes; thelength of finger 48 being commensurate with the extent of port 20 so asto assure of effective operation therein. Surrounding stem 47 is a coilcompression spring 49, one end of which bears against a collar 50abutting against the inner face of bushing base 44 and fixed to head 46,the other end of said spring 49 bears against a shoulder 51 formedwithin a counterbore 52. Thus, under normal bias the spring 49, plungerhead 46 will be in outwardly extended state (as illustrated in FIG. 2)with finger 48 being presented spacedly from port 20 so as not tointerfere with normal fluid flow therethrough into, or from, riser 6.Upon the application of inwardly directed pressure against head 46, thebias of spring 49 which will thereupon be stressed, finger 48 will bepushed into port 20 for causing the dislodgment of any foreign or othermatter which may have inadvertently become stuck therein with attendantimpeding of flow. Thus, device C may be used from time to time asnecessary and by means of its unusual mounting constitutes a tool whichwill not become lost or misplaced.

Accordingly, clearance of port 20 at all times is assured by appropriateutilization of device C.

1n the operation of pump control A, pressure switch 31 will be preset toopen, that is, for de-energizing pump 2 at a pressure approximatelypounds below the maximum discharge pressure developed by pump p. Thus,for example, if maximum discharge pressure of pimp p is 65 psi thenpressure switch 31 would be set to open at ab out 60 psi. Also switch 31may suitably adjusted so as to effect circuit closure at, for example,psi. With the aforesaid pressures it will be seen that pressure chamber38 will be substantially developed when pressure switch 31 is subjectedto its circuit-opening pressure of 60 psi. It will of course berecognized that these stated values are relative and are hence set forthfor purposes of illustration.

The cycling operation of pump control A may be readily described byassuming that the various household outlets, such as the taps andfaucets 5, are closed and with switch 31 being subjected to a maximumpressure for opening; with pipe 22 completely filled with water andpressure chamber 38- developed through expansion of pressure accumulator34 under the stated pressure, and with pump p being non-operating. Withsaid control A in this condition, 5 user upon opening any of thehousehold faucets or taps 5 will cause an immediate pressure drop in thesystem since without pump 2 operating the liquid within the lines willbe discharged. Thus, liquid within pipe 22 will flow through port 20 andopenings 14, riser 6 and into discharge pipe 4. Such flow will effect animmediate reduction in the pressure applied against switch 31 with thesame falling to a value such as 20 psi, at which point switch 31 willclose and effect energization of pump p whereupon the desired linepressure will be established and maintained during household usage. Foreffective operation it is critical that the interval between the firstopening of the dwelling taps or spigots and the energization of pump pbe as short as possible so that there not be any measurable intervalduring which the attendant pressure drop will occasion undesireddiminution of flow. The brevity of this interval is brought about by theuniqueness of pressure accumulator 34 which, upon the opening of theparticular faucet or tap with the stated pressure drop will beimmediately freed for releasing movement so that it will, snap" as itwere, into normal, unexpanded state against pipe 22. This forcefulcontractive movement provides a strong motive pressure against theliquid within pipe 22 so as to drive same through port 20 and alsoprovide requisite pressure for deflection of disc 15 of check valve 16whereby liquid may flow through openings 18 of partition 13, therebyaccelerating the pressure drop within pipe 22 so as to cause switch 31to rapidly reach the pressure at which it will effect circuit closurewith resultant energization of pump 2.

Thus, in actual practice pump control A has demonstrated the uniquecapability of bringing about a substantially continuous line pressure sothat the period between tap opening and pump operation is indeedfundamentally imperceptible.

Thus, when the pressure has sufficiently built within pipe 22 andpressure chamber 28, pressure switch 31 will be restored to circuitopened condition and the operation of pump p discontinued.

Accordingly, it will be seen that pressure accumulator 34 does notfunction as a tank or storage for liquid but serves to maintain arelatively constant line pressure through the inherent force thereof forconducing to a rapid pressure drop for closure of switch 31. Thus, theactual amount of liquid expelled from pressure chamber 38 uponcontraction of accumulator 34 is inappreciable.

It will be noted that check valve 16 will be maintained in a closedstate by reason of the pressure within riser 6 as compared to that ofthe liquid above partition 13 when the household taps and faucets areclosed. However, upon opening of the latter with the relative pressuredrop in riser 6 the pressure of the liquid above partition 13 as addedby the contraction of pressure accumulator 34 is relatively greater sothat opening of check valve 16 is occasioned.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim and desire to obtainLetters Patent for is:

1. For use in a liquid pumping system having a pump and a discharge pipeconnected to said pump; a pump control comprising a valve body;conduit-forming means connecting said valve body to said discharge pipe;valve means provided in said valve body for subjection to liquidpressure within said discharge pipe; means defining a tubular memberconnected to said valve body and extending therefrom opposite saiddischarge pipe and being co-axially aligned therewith; means adjacentsaid valve means for establishing continuous connection between saiddischarge pipe and said tubular member; said tubular member having aplurality of spaced-apart openings for liquid flow therethrough; meansdefining a pressure accumulator of sleeve-form disposed surroundingly ofthe portion of said tubular member having openings; said pressureaccumulator having a thickness of approximately one half inch and adurometer hardness within the range of 55-70, said pressure accumulatorbeing resilient for expansion under pressure within the range ofapproximately 50-70 psi so as to develop relative force uponcontraction; means for securing said pressure accumulator in its endportions in leak-proof relationship on said tubular member so that theintervening portion may be expanded under predetermined pressure ofliquid passing through said tubular member openings to develop arelatively volumetrically small pressure chamber; said pressureaccumulator having a ratio of its thickness to its length between saidsecuring means being within the range of approximately 4:1 to 8:1, rigidcase-forming means disposed surroundingly of said pressure accumulator,the normal spacing between said pressure accumulator and said rigidcaseforming means being within the range of five thirty-seconds to seventhirty-seconds inches; a switch operable responsive to said liquidpressure within said tubular member; means connecting said pressureswitch and said tubular member at the end of the latter remote from saidvalve body; and means operatively connecting said pressure switch andsaid pump.

2. For use in a liquid pumping system having a pump and a discharge pipeconnected to said pump; a pump control comprising a valve body;conduit-forming means connecting said valve body to said discharge pipe;valve means provided in said valve body for subjection to liquidpressure within said discharge pipe; means defining a tubular memberconnected to said valve body and extending therefrom opposite saiddischarge pipe and being co-axially aligned therewith; means defining aport adjacent said valve means for establishing continuous connectionbetween said discharge pipe and said tubular member; means mounted insaid valve body proximate said port for facilitating clearance of matteraccidentally lodged therein; said tubular member having a plurality ofspacedapart openings for liquid flow therethrough; means defining apressure accumulator of sleeve-form disposed surroundingly of theportion of said tubular member having openings; said pressureaccumulator being resilient and relatively thick so as to developrelative force upon contraction; means for securing said pressureaccumulator in its end portions in leak-proof relationship on saidtubular member so that the intervening portion may be expanded underpredetermined pressure of liquid passing through said tubular memberopenings to develop a relatively volumetrically small pressure chamber;a switch operable responsive to said liquid pressure within said tubularmember; means connecting said pressure switch and said tubular member atthe end of the latter remote from said valve body; and means operativelyconnecting said pressure switch and said pump.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by saidmeans mounted in said valve body said valve body having a chamber, aplunger disposed in said chamber and being axially aligned with saidport, resilient means provided within said chamber and urging saidplunger away from said port, said plunger having an end portiondimensioned for reception within said port upon stressing of saidresilient means.

1. For use in a liquid pumping system having a pump and a discharge pipeconnected to said pump; a pump control comprising a valve body;conduit-forming means connecting said valve body to said discharge pipe;valve means provided in said valve body for subjection to liquidpressure within said discharge pipe; means defining a tubular memberconnected to said valve body and extending therefrom opposite saiddischarge pipe and being coaxially aligned therewith; means adjacentsaid valve means for establishing continuous connection between saiddischarge pipe and said tubular member; said tubular member having aplurality of spaced-apart openings for liquid flow therethrough; meansdefining a pressure accumulator of sleeve-form disposed surroundingly ofthe portion of said tubular member having openings; said pressureaccumulator having a thickness of approximately one half inch and adurometer hardness within the range of 55-70, said pressure accumulatorbeing resilient for expansion under pressure within the range ofapproximately 50-70 psi so as to develop relative force uponcontraction; means for securing said pressure accumulator in its endportions in leakproof relationship on said tubular member so that theintervening portion may be expanded under predetermined pressure ofliquid passing through said tubular member openings to develop arelatively volumetrically small pressure chamber; said pressureaccumulator having a ratio of its thickness to its length between saidsecuring means being within the range of approximately 4:1 to 8:1, rigidcase-forming means disposed surroundingly of said pressure accumulator,the normal spacing between said pressure accumulator and said rigidcase-forming means being within the range of five thirty-seconds toseven thirty-seconds inches; a switch operable responsive to said liquidpressure within said tubular member; means connecting said pressureswitch and said tubular member at the end of the latter remote from saidvalve body; and means operatively connecting said pressure switch andsaid pump.
 2. For use in a liquid pumping system having a pump and adischarge pipe connected to said pump; a pump control comprising a valvebody; conduit-forming means connecting said valve body to said dischargepipe; valve means provided in said valve body for subjection to liquidpressure within said discharge pipe; means defining a tubular memberconnected to said valve body and extending therefrom opposite saiddischarge pipe and being co-axially aligned therewith; means defining aport adjacent said valve means for establishing continuous connectionbetween said discharge pipe and said tubular member; means mounted insaid valve body proximate said port for facilitating clearance of matteraccidentally lodged therein; said tubular member having a plurality ofspaced-apart openings for liquid flow therethrough; means defining apressure accumulator of sleeve-form disposed surroundingly of theportion of said tubular member having openings; said pressureaccumulator being resilient and relatively thick so as to developrelative force upon contraction; means for securing said pressureaccumulator in its end portions in leak-proof relationship on saidtubular member so that the intervening portion may be expanded underpredetermined pressure of liquid passing thRough said tubular memberopenings to develop a relatively volumetrically small pressure chamber;a switch operable responsive to said liquid pressure within said tubularmember; means connecting said pressure switch and said tubular member atthe end of the latter remote from said valve body; and means operativelyconnecting said pressure switch and said pump.
 3. The invention asdefined in claim 2 and further characterized by said means mounted insaid valve body said valve body having a chamber, a plunger disposed insaid chamber and being axially aligned with said port, resilient meansprovided within said chamber and urging said plunger away from saidport, said plunger having an end portion dimensioned for receptionwithin said port upon stressing of said resilient means.